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Wednesday, February 22

Did you know that according to Wikipedia there are two types of rakes? The penitent and the persistent. The penitent being one who is reformed by a heroine, the persistent...well he's just a lost cause and more than likely would end up the villain :)

Lord Andrew Forest, a "penitent rake", is the hero of Samantha Grace's debut historical romance, and both are my guest today to share a bit about Miss Hillary Schools a Scoundrel, and his transformation from a rake to a devoted husband. Enjoy!

Hello, Samantha Grace here, author of the debut regency historical romance, Miss Hillary Schools a Scoundrel. Today I’ve brought along two special guests to help me answer the question of whether a rake can ever be redeemed. Please welcome Miss Lana Hillary and Lord Andrew Forest, the heroine and hero from my book.

Oh, dear. Lord Andrew is frowning at me now.
“You said nothing about rakes and redemption being the topics,” he replies.
Miss Hillary pats his arm in a soothing gesture. His crossness fades as he meets her loving gaze. “He prefers the term scoundrel, Mrs. Grace, and he’s correct. We agreed to this interview because we thought we were talking about education.”
Er, well. In a sense, we are. Did either of you happen to notice the title of your book?
“What book?” she asks.
The book I wrote about how the two of you met and fell in love.
“Our lives are the subject of a book?” A lazy smile eases across Lord Andrew’s lips. “I hope you edited out parts. Wouldn’t want to scandalize your poor readers.”
They’re built of sterner stuff than that, my lord.
“I see. So, what is the title of your tell-all book again?”
Miss Hillary Schools a Scoundrel. It’s about an heiress in her second season that tangles with a rake—I beg your pardon, my lord. I meant to say scoundrel—and turns the tables on him after they’ve been intimate by running away.
His eyes narrow and his frown returns. “I was only half-teasing the night I met Miss Hillary and accused her of employing the strategy of running from a gent until she snags him. It sure worked with me. I took off after her like the hounds of hell were chasing me when she disappeared.”
“There was no strategy involved, Drew. I genuinely wanted to get away from you.”
“But why? We’re perfect together.”
“You have a short memory. I believe my desire to escape had everything to do with your desire to never settle for one woman. You only asked me to marry you out of obligation, and I couldn’t bear the thought of you hating me.”
Which brings us back to the topic of the day. Can a scoundrel be redeemed?
“Really, Mrs. Grace. You are a single-minded creature.” Lord Andrew turns toward Miss Hillary. “I could never hate you, peach.”
“I know that now, but I was in a panic. I couldn’t believe how foolish I had been.”
Ahem. This is touching and all, but…
Lord Andrew sighs. “I aim to please, madame, so allow me to be frank. Had I known what a bitter pill to swallow it was to be abandoned by one’s love interest, I would have taken more care with the ladies’ feelings. I suppose I have Miss Hillary to thank for showing me the error of my ways.”
Yes, it does seem you learned a few things since your first encounter with her in the gardens at the Eldridge ball.
Miss Hillary’s gaze shoots between Lord Andrew and me. “Like what, exactly? I wouldn’t want him to change too much. I like him the way he is.”
“Thank you, my sweet, but Mrs. Grace is correct. I have learned a few important facts.”
Miss Hillary flashes an impish smile. “Do tell.”
“Hmm… Allow me to think on it.” He drums his fingers against his thigh then snaps them. “One must be careful when choosing flowers for a lady. You wouldn’t want to send the wrong message.”
I was thinking something more substantial.
“Very well. A slice of apple pie in the face can be a powerful aphrodisiac.”
Miss Hillary laughs, her cheeks flushing with color. “Drew.”
“And she taught me to play whist.”
“You already knew how to play. You simply allowed me to win so you could see what prize I would demand.”
Lord Andrew winks at me. “She demanded kisses.”
(I wink back.) I know. I wrote it.
“Then allow me to bestow my thanks for the carriage scene, and the inn, and the carriage again, and—”
Yes, you’re welcome, my lord. Could we please get back to our purpose here today?
“I think he also learned I’m hard to manage,” Miss Hillary interjects.
Lord Andrew grins at her fondly. “The stubborn minx doesn’t listen to a word I say. Not even to save her own life.”
They link hands, their matching smiles fading. “You are my life, Drew. I couldn’t leave you to die in the fire.”
Lord Andrew smoothes a loose strand of Miss Hillary’s lovely copper hair behind her ear. “If you truly want to know what I learned, Mrs. Grace, I’ll tell you. Lana taught me I am capable of love.”
Aw, that’s rather sweet. Should we ask readers a question for a chance to win a copy of Miss Hillary Schools a Scoundrel?
“Yes, let’s ask a question,” Miss Hillary says. “Do you like reformed rake stories? Why or why not?”

There’s no taming the wicked.

Jaded heiress Lana Hillary learned this lesson the hard way when the dashing man of her dreams turned out to be a lying scoundrel. With two Seasons behind her and the memory of his betrayal still fresh in her mind, Lana seeks a match with a respectable gent. But why must they all be so properly boring? Unable to rein in her bold nature for long, Lana flirts with trouble and finds herself entangled with the exact type of man she’s vowed to avoid.

Love ‘em-and- leave ‘em Lord Andrew Forest lives for pleasure and offers no apologies. But he receives a dose of his own medicine when his family’s innocent houseguest beds him then disappears without a by your leave. Rejected by the most captivating woman in England, Drew is determined to intercept Lana Hillary before she reaches London and convince her to marry him. Then he’ll teach the little vixen a thing or two about how to love a man.

To celebrate the release of Samantha Grace's debut historical romance, Miss Hillary Schools a Scoundrel, the first book in her Beau Monde Bachelor series, her publisher Casablanca Sourcebooks would like to giveaway a print copy of the book to one lucky Musings follower. Here's how you can enter to win...

Ways to earn entries:

Mandatory: Answer the question posed to readers in the post AND leave a meaningful comment and/or ask her a question about this book or series. (good for 1 entry)

Mandatory: You MUST be a Google Friend Connect (GFC) follower in order to be eligible to win (unfortunately an email subscriber, or subscription in Google reader, and a follower are not the same thing so make sure you are signed up as a follower if you'd like to win this book)

If you have a blog, or even if you don't, you can earn extra entries by telling your friends. If they successfully enter to win and mention that you sent them you can each earn extra entries. You can blog about it with a link to this post, post it on Facebook, Twitter, email...or even word of mouth (good for 5 entries for the referrer and the commenter for each friend) . Please note that to earn the points they must mention your GFC name so that I can match you.

Purchase any item from the Seductive Musings Amazon store by using this link, or the Amazon widget contained within this post and email a copy of your purchase receipt to me no later than the deadline to enter (email available in sidebar). Sorry purchases made prior to this date do not apply, and link contained in this post must be used. No faxes or snail mail copies are allowed. No purchases are necessary to win. (good for 25 entries, or 50 entries if a purchase is made from the featured author's available titles)

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The contest will end on February 24th at 11:59 pm EST and winner will be posted after they have been selected

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Great post---I can already tell by that little character interview that I will enjoy reading Andrew's story! :D

Yep, redeming rakes is one of my favorites. Because, afterall, what woman doesn't want to tame the wild beast, the bad boy, the hopeless Playboy? :D As long as he falls for his woman, learns what true love is (and that it means being faithful), I'm all for the rake. Or scoundrel--call it whatever you wish!

Thanks! There's something about a bad boy that's so appealing. But I also love a good guy who is proper in public and very passionate behind closed doors. Is that like the reverse of the sexy librarian fantasy? :)

I do like reformed rake stories, because usually the rake has lots of experience and knows a good thing when he sees it, or is hit over the head with it, as the case may be. :DI'm really looking forward to reading Miss Hillary Schools a Scoundrel. I've been hearing so much about it, I can't wait.

Congrats on the release, you must be so excited and thrilled to see your book out there. Enjoyed the interview. Definitely enjoy the reformed rake story line -- love watching those romeos so sure they'll never get caught fall hard & utterly for some luckily lady and end up with their entire world upside down till she decides to right it for him ;)

I do love a good reformed rakes story. I have always loved bad boys and the thought of one falling so in love that he changes his ways is great. These rakes/scoundrels generally fight falling in love but when they do, they fall hard and deep. This story sounds really great. I love that she "loves him & leaves him" and he is so upset that he takes off after her. I can't wait to read this book and the others in the series.GFC follower: June M.

Congrats Samantha on your Debut book. I've heard so many good things about Miss Hillary Schools A Scoundrel.It's on my TRL.I love reformed Rakes. The impact of them falling in love is wonderful. :)And I agree with Lexi, it's such a unique idea that the lady dumps the Rake.Beautiful. And they do make marvelous lovers. :)GFC name is Lucky47.Carol LLucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

Yes I do like reformed rake stories. Of course the rake can't be too far gone beyond redemption. I think the redeemed rake theme empathizes the point that there is good in everyone and if you look deeply enough you'll usually find it. There are reasons behind a person's behavior and once you know them, you will better understand that person. Not everyone is salvageable, but at least you can understand why they behave the way the do.

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